The Cardiff City Stadium, fans of Sheffield United stood up in unison, raising their hands and singing the team anthem.
"In this only one city I love, back in 1889...!!"
This is a rather deep team song, rarely seen among teams in England, yet it embodies their profound love for the team.
"Beep! Beep—!" As the referee blew a short and a long whistle to signal halftime.
Their singing did not cease, even drowning out the noise and boos of the Cardiff City home fans.
The fan atmosphere of Sheffield United is definitely stronger than most Championship teams.
The lack of performance in the first two games was truly because the whole team was too dispirited, leaving them with no hope in sight.
Finally, in this first half, they saw it!
In the guest locker room, players of Sheffield United returned for hydration and rest, waiting for Kevin's subsequent arrangements.
If they want to play well, unity is a must, and many have decided to temporarily set aside personal grievances with Kevin and focus on winning this match.
"Well done."
"You did great, kid, I knew you could do it in training."
Ma'el sat in his place, continuously receiving congratulations from passersby, smiling and responding to each.
A wave of fatigue rose in his heart; the intensity of the Championship is quite terrifying, often requiring players to sprint anaerobically, giving their all in confrontation.
His body hasn't fully developed yet, so forty-five consecutive minutes is indeed a bit too much to handle.
But it's okay, he gritted his teeth to persist, making it through 65 minutes shouldn't be a problem.
Kevin soon walked in from the entrance, without much interaction with the players, he went straight to the tactics board, "Before the first half ended, several crossings from Ma'el and Ward in the penalty area created significant threats.
"Their overall weakness in aerial defense is apparent, so in the second half, we should be more decisive, initiating crosses more frequently.
"If midfield players see an opportunity, don't hesitate to insert into the box to increase offensive numbers."
He moved some tactical pieces on the board and advised further: "Pre-match analysis indicated that their team tends to overcommit to counter-attacks, leaving the back too exposed..."
Having reached a professional team, players have basic tactical and technical skills.
For professional team coaches, most of their guidance involves pointing out the opponent's strengths and weaknesses, specific strategies against them, proactive risk prevention, set-piece routines, and strategic adjustments.
They also have an essential task, maintaining good team morale in the locker room.
From Kevin's negative example, it's clear that this second task is much harder than the first.
"Alright, Luton sits out the second half."
After all arrangements, Kevin glanced at Garrispeed standing beside him, "Gilbert, get on the field and warm up quickly; we'll make the substitution before the start."
Gilbert, sitting next to Ma'el, flashed a gleam of joy in his eyes, then forced himself to maintain composure and not show any excitement, bowing his head as he exited the locker room.
Ma'el watched his back, secretly cheering for him, finally, they'd fight side by side.
......
"Beep Beep!"
With both teams in position on the field, the referee blew the whistle for a substitution, pointing to the end of the centerline extension.
The fourth official raised the substitution board, 17, Gilbert on, replacing the starting midfielder Luton.
Gilbert took a deep breath, stepping first with his left foot onto the pitch, his right hand touching the ground, then traced a cross over his chest, charging onto the field.
He saw an encouraging smile from Ma'el, emotions surging in his heart, his leg muscles trembling.
"Beep!"
The referee blew the whistle to start the second half, now it was Sheffield United's kickoff turn.
"Bang!" Center forward Evans made a short pass to Gilbert, who just entered, hoping he'd have more ball touches to get his feel in rhythm.
Gilbert carried the ball a few steps, then turned and kicked it to the center-back as the opposing forward approached.
Players from both sides moved quickly, either closing in to pressurize formations or constantly running to find open spaces, with the situation rapidly evolving.
With most players from Sheffield United getting serious, their overall combat strength gradually emerged, no longer suppressed by Cardiff City.
In the 54th minute of the match, Gilbert got a chance for a long shot near the penalty area.
"Bang!"
He swung his leg for a powerful strike, but the football flew directly into the South Stand of the home fans.
"Hiss....." Gilbert took a breath of cool air, raising his hand to apologize to teammates, feeling ashamed, as he lacked Ma'el's long-shot prowess.
Ma'el, seeing his attempt, suddenly felt an itch in his foot, wanting to try a long shot again.
In the first half, he had an opportunity for a long shot, but he wasn't stable mentally, distracted by a sliding tackle, and missed the chance.
If he got another shot, he might test the goalkeeper.
But in such a high-level match, you can't always get what you want; all opportunities are linked to the performance of others on the field.
To easily get a firing chance, someone needs to run to create openings, someone needs to set up the ball.
But..... this is equally unrealistic with a 1-1 draw, pressure is always there.
No one would place all hopes on him at this moment unless he first earns a significant reputation on the field.
He could only wait patiently, first doing what a winger should do.
"Bang!"
In the 59th minute of the match, Gilbert made a long pass towards Ma'el on the wing.
The pressure of close marking made Ma'el struggle to control the ball, nearly sending it out of bounds.
"Bang!" In the ensuing half-ball scramble, his shoulder collided forcefully with opposing wing-back Gabor's, causing a painful vibration through his body.
Fortunately, he slightly triumphed!
While Gabor was still regaining balance, he maintained control of the ball, shielding from Gabor, driving it down the goal line and staying ahead in Gabor's recovery lane.
In this way, even though his speed wasn't fast, he utilized the advantage of a straight line being shorter than a diagonal to outdistance Gabor.
"Bang!!"
Reaching the goal line, without waiting for Gabor and midfielder Drinkwater to return, he calmly positioned the ball on his right foot and delivered a cross.
This was a targeted pass with high quality, owing to the lack of pressure, as the football dashed unpredictably towards the far corner!
Hope swelled in Ma'el's eyes, there was some expectation of threat from this ball.
"Oh..." Immediately, he heard a swell of weak anticipation from the fans in front of the South Stand, many standing up to watch the situation at the far post.
"Bang!"
There, a figure charging from outside the penalty area carried forward momentum, leaping high and delivering a powerful header!
"Gilbert!"
Ma'el noticed who it was, and excitement burst on his face.
"Swish!!" Few could see how the football went in, only how it crashed into the net, bulging the net out several feet.
The ball was in again!
Two to one, Sheffield United turned the score around!
"Yeah...!!" The cheers from the South Stand rose again, this time right by the attacking Sheffield United players' ears, each hearing it clearly, blood boiling with excitement.
Ma'el let out a roar from his spot, bowing his head and waving his arms in celebration; he didn't expect to notch a second assist this way.
Twin assists!
It's a remarkable achievement too!
Even more precious, his assist recipient was a friend who came to Sheffield with him!
"Ma'el!"
High on adrenaline, Gilbert raced toward the nearest touchline, pointing one hand at him, the other toward the sky, "I scored, brother, I scored!"
It was like returning to a training ground filled with monotony and sweat, receiving Ma'el's crosses and completing brilliant headers countless times.
Only now, it was in a match!
"Haha!"
Running after him, Ma'el laughed aloud, "This deserves a meal treat?"
"Of course!"
Gilbert couldn't care about anything else now; he might have agreed to spend his entire savings given his lost mind, "Let's eat the best!"
The two Arsenal juniors ran, laughed, and instinctively threw themselves together to complete a four-barrel sliding knee celebration.
"Click, click!" Photographers by the field rushed to capture this rare moment.
In the frame, the two young guns laughed wildly at each other, stylishly opening their arms sliding on their knees, behind them countless fans stretching forward cheering with fist pumps, followed by excited teammates rushing over.